Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method, comprising: at a mobile device including a display, one or more processors, a communications unit, and memory: identifying by an application executing on the mobile device a retail machine configured for wireless communications based at least in part on an identifier corresponding to the retail machine; transmitting via the communications unit of the mobile device the identifier to a server and receiving from the server an electronic communication including one or more promotional offers for products offered by the retail machine; displaying on the display of the mobile device the one or more promotional offers; detecting selection of a respective promotional offer of the one or more promotional offers; receiving, via the communications unit, notification information from the retail machine associated with provision of a product by the retail machine for a user of the mobile device; in response to receiving the notification information associated with the provision of the product by the retail machine; capturing, with a camera of the mobile device, an image of the product provided by the retail machine, the image including confirmation information confirming that the product was provided by the retail machine, wherein the confirmation information is derived from the product provided by the retail machine; and transmitting to the server via the communications unit of the mobile device the confirmation information and the notification information associated with the provision of the product; and in response to transmitting the confirmation information and the notification information associated with the provision of the product: receiving, via the communications unit, promotion validation information from the server indicating validation of the respective promotional offer of the one or more promotional offers; and based on the promotion validation information, displaying on the display information confirming application of the respective promotional offer.
This invention relates to a mobile device system for interacting with retail machines, such as vending machines, to facilitate promotional offers and product validation. The system addresses the problem of verifying product dispensing and applying promotional offers in real-time. A mobile device with a display, processors, a communications unit, and memory identifies a retail machine capable of wireless communication using an identifier. The device transmits this identifier to a server, which responds with promotional offers for products available from the retail machine. The offers are displayed on the mobile device. When a user selects an offer, the device receives notification from the retail machine confirming product provision. The mobile device then captures an image of the product, which includes confirmation information derived from the product itself, such as a barcode or QR code. This confirmation information, along with the notification from the retail machine, is sent to the server for validation. Upon validation, the server sends promotion validation information back to the mobile device, which then displays confirmation that the promotional offer has been applied. This system ensures accurate tracking and validation of promotional offers in automated retail environments.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the product that was provided is part of a transaction associated with the user of the mobile device, and further wherein the promotion validation information includes promotion validation information with respect to the transaction.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the one or more promotional offers are displayed within a first user interface for the application executing on the mobile device.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the promotion validation information is displayed within a second user interface for the application executing on the mobile device.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the displaying the promotion validation information includes displaying an indication as to whether the respective promotional offer was validated and displaying information identifying a credit to the user associated with the respective promotional offer.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, before detecting selection of a respective promotional offer, receiving the one or more promotional offers based at least in part on particular products offered by the retail machine.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the selecting the one or more promotional offers is further based at least in part on at least one previous transaction completed by the user at a different retail machine that is distinct from the retail machine.
This invention relates to personalized promotional offers in retail environments, specifically improving the selection of promotions based on a user's transaction history across multiple retail machines. The problem addressed is the inefficiency of generic or location-specific promotions that do not account for a user's broader purchasing behavior, leading to missed opportunities for targeted marketing and reduced customer engagement. The method involves selecting promotional offers for a user at a retail machine, such as a self-checkout kiosk or point-of-sale terminal, by analyzing transaction data from previous purchases made by the user at different retail machines. These machines are distinct from the current one, meaning they may be located in different stores, regions, or even operated by different retailers. The selection process considers the user's past transactions to identify relevant offers, ensuring promotions align with their preferences and purchase history. This approach enhances personalization, increasing the likelihood of user engagement and conversion. The method may also involve tracking user interactions with the retail machine, such as browsing or scanning items, to further refine offer selection. By leveraging cross-machine transaction data, the system provides more accurate and contextually relevant promotions, improving customer satisfaction and retail efficiency. The invention aims to bridge the gap between isolated retail interactions, creating a cohesive shopping experience that adapts to individual user behavior.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected respective promotional offer is associated with both a time-based condition that is satisfied by using the selected respective promotional offer within a predetermined time period and a product-based condition that is satisfied by determining that an offered product qualifies for the selected respective promotional offer.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the promotion validation information includes an indication as to whether (i) the time-based condition and (ii) the product-based condition were satisfied.
A system and method for validating promotional offers in a retail environment addresses the challenge of ensuring accurate and efficient promotion validation during checkout. The system monitors transaction data in real-time to determine whether predefined conditions for a promotional offer are met. These conditions include time-based criteria, such as specific dates or time windows, and product-based criteria, such as the inclusion or exclusion of certain items in the transaction. The system evaluates whether these conditions are satisfied and generates validation information indicating compliance. This validation information includes explicit indicators for both the time-based and product-based conditions, allowing for clear and unambiguous determination of whether the promotion is valid. The system may also integrate with point-of-sale (POS) systems to apply discounts or other promotional benefits automatically when conditions are met. By providing detailed validation feedback, the system reduces errors in promotion application and improves customer satisfaction. The method ensures that promotions are applied correctly based on predefined rules, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing manual verification steps.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: while displaying on the display of the mobile device the one or more promotional offers, detecting a request from the user to dismiss a particular promotional offer of the one or more promotional offers; and in response to detecting the request: (i) ceasing to display the particular promotional offer on the display and (ii) sending, via the communications unit, information indicating that the user dismissed the particular promotional offer.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: after receiving the notification information, determining whether a predetermined time period has expired; in accordance with a determination that the predetermined time period has expired, providing a communication to the user of the mobile device indicating that the respective promotional offer has expired; and in accordance with a determination that the predetermined time period has not expired, transmitting the confirmation information associated with the notification information to the server.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: prior to displaying on the display of the mobile device the one or more promotional offers: obtaining an information packet broadcast by the retail machine, wherein the information packet at least includes an authorization code and a unique identifier corresponding to the retail machine; sending a transaction authorization request to the server, wherein the transaction authorization includes the authorization code and the unique identifier corresponding to the retail machine; and in response to the transaction authorization request, receiving from the server: (i) authorization information that includes an authorization grant token for initiating a transaction with the retail machine, and (ii) the one or more promotional offers.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising, before receiving the notification information, initiating performance of a transaction with the retail machine by sending the authorization grant token to the retail machine, wherein the authorization grant token includes the authorization code included in the information packet.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the transaction is initiated in response to detecting the selection of the respective promotional offer.
This invention relates to a system for processing transactions in response to promotional offers. The method involves detecting user interaction with a promotional offer, such as a discount or special deal, and automatically initiating a transaction based on that selection. The system first identifies a user's selection of a promotional offer from a displayed list or interface. Upon detection, the method retrieves transaction details associated with the selected offer, including pricing, product information, and any applicable terms. The system then generates a transaction request incorporating these details and submits it to a payment processing system for completion. The method ensures seamless integration between promotional offers and transaction processing, reducing user friction by automating the transition from offer selection to payment. The system may also validate the offer's eligibility, such as checking expiration dates or user qualifications, before proceeding. This approach enhances user experience by streamlining the purchase process and increasing conversion rates for promotional campaigns. The method is applicable in e-commerce, retail, and digital marketing environments where promotional offers drive sales.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, in response to receiving the notification information: providing a prompt instructing the user of the mobile device to confirm that the product was provided; and capturing the image in response to the prompt.
A system and method for verifying product delivery involves a mobile device that receives notification information indicating a product has been delivered. The system provides a prompt to the user of the mobile device, instructing them to confirm whether the product was indeed provided. Upon receiving the confirmation, the mobile device captures an image of the product or its packaging. This image serves as proof of delivery, ensuring accountability in the logistics process. The method may also include analyzing the captured image to verify the product's condition or authenticity, further enhancing delivery verification. The system may integrate with logistics or e-commerce platforms to automate delivery confirmation and reduce disputes. The technology addresses challenges in verifying product delivery, particularly in scenarios where traditional methods like signatures or receipts are unreliable or impractical. By leveraging mobile device capabilities, the system provides a streamlined, user-friendly approach to confirming deliveries while minimizing fraud and errors.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the obtaining the confirmation information comprises capturing, with a camera of the mobile device, an image of the product that includes a product code identifying the product.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more promotional offers are based at least in part on the identifier corresponding to the retail machine.
18. A mobile device, comprising: a display; a communications unit; one or more processors; and memory storing one or more programs to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs comprising instructions for: identifying by an application executing on the mobile device a retail machine configured for wireless communications based at least in part on an identifier corresponding to the retail machine; transmitting via the communications unit of the mobile device the identifier to a server and receiving from the server an electronic communication including one or more promotional offers for products offered by the retail machine; displaying on the display of the mobile device the one or more promotional offers; detecting selection of a respective promotional offer of the one or more promotional offers; receiving, via the communications unit, notification information from the retail machine associated with provision of a product by the retail machine for a user of the mobile device; in response to receiving the notification information associated with the provision of the product by the retail machine: capturing, with a camera of the mobile device, an image of the product provided by the retail machine, the image including confirmation information confirming that the product was provided by the retail machine, wherein the confirmation information is derived from the product provided by the retail machine; and transmitting to the server via the communications unit of the mobile device the confirmation information and the notification information associated with the provision of the product; and in response to transmitting the confirmation information and the notification information associated with the provision of the product: receiving, via the communications unit, promotion validation information from the server indicating validation of the respective promotional offer of the one or more promotional offers; and based on the promotion validation information, displaying on the display information confirming application of the respective promotional offer.
19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which, when executed by a mobile device with a display, a communications unit, and one or more processors, cause the mobile device to perform the functions of: identifying by an application executing on the mobile device a retail machine configured for wireless communications based at least in part on an identifier corresponding to the retail machine; transmitting via the communications unit of the mobile device the identifier to a server and receiving from the server an electronic communication including one or more promotional offers for products offered by the retail machine; displaying on the display of the mobile device the one or more promotional offers; detecting selection of a respective promotional offer of the one or more promotional offers; receiving, via the communications unit, notification information from the retail machine associated with provision of a product by the retail machine for a user of the mobile device; in response to receiving the notification information associated with the provision of the product by the retail machine: capturing, with a camera of the mobile device, an image of the product provided by the retail machine the image including confirmation information confirming that the product was provided by the retail machine, wherein the confirmation information is derived from the product provided by the retail machine; and transmitting to the server via the communications unit of the mobile device the confirmation information and the notification information associated with the provision of the product; and in response to transmitting the confirmation information and the notification information associated with the provision of the product: receiving, via the communications unit, promotion validation information from the server indicating validation of the respective promotional offer of the one or more promotional offers; and based on the promotion validation information, displaying on the display information confirming application of the respective promotional offer.
Unknown
March 30, 2021
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